By: Haywood, Nelson S.B. No. 446 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to the posting of political signs on private property 1-2 along certain highways. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 391, Transportation Code, 1-5 is amended by adding Section 391.005 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 391.005. EXEMPTION. This chapter does not apply to a 1-7 sign erected solely for and relating to a public election if the 1-8 sign: 1-9 (1) is on private property; 1-10 (2) is erected not earlier than the 90th day before 1-11 the date of the election and is removed not later than the 10th day 1-12 after the election date; 1-13 (3) is constructed of lightweight material; and 1-14 (4) has a surface area not larger than 50 square feet. 1-15 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect on the first day of 1-16 the calendar month following the date the Texas Transportation 1-17 Commission determines that the implementation of Section 391.005, 1-18 Transportation Code, as added by this Act, will not result in the 1-19 loss of highway-related funds from the federal government. The 1-20 commission shall endeavor to make a determination under this 1-21 subsection as soon as practical after this Act becomes law. In 1-22 making a determination under this subsection, the commission may 1-23 seek the opinion of an officer or employee of the federal 2-1 government, the attorney general of this state, or any other 2-2 appropriate person. 2-3 (b) If a determination is made under Subsection (a) of this 2-4 section, the commission shall provide notice of the determination 2-5 to the secretary of state for inclusion in the Texas Register. If 2-6 a determination is not made under Subsection (a) of this section, 2-7 this Act has no effect. 2-8 (c) The commission may delegate any of its responsibilities 2-9 under this Act to the executive director of the Texas Department of 2-10 Transportation. 2-11 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.